The Grand Prix Academy will be closed down by the end of the year and many other activities will cease operating within the next 12 months.

Plans for the development, which will permanently alter the birthplace of motor sports and aviation, consist of a 60-acre community park, a business development centre and a hotel as well as the heritage centre with associated parking.

Concerns have also been raised over the environmental consequences of the development on the greenbelt land and more than 65 objections were received.

Although Mercedes-Benz have been unable to confirm job losses it is thought that as well as staff at the academy, other staff such as security guards and gardeners will lose their jobs.

The Grand Prix Academy provides go-karting and corporate events for the community.Michael Bull from the academy expressed his disappointment that the plans would mean job losses. He said:

“They are basically closing us down and we are all very disappointed, this is not good news at all.

“There are 30 employees here who within six months will be out of work. We have all worked very hard and have big plans for this place, we would really have made something of it and now we have not got the chance.’’

He said the karting facilities and market stalls would also be going but the museum would be retained.

“It is very disappointing because a German showroom with be taking over the birthplace of British motorsports and aviation.

“We were told that we could work with Mercedes with the new development but this is obviously not happening.

We still have some major events lined up and we intend to go out with a bang.’’

The Weybridge Society are concerned that the community will not ‘sufficiently benefit’ from the development and have written to the council to ensure certain conditions are established.

Nick O’Donnell from Mercedes-Benz said the loss of the jobs was to do with the current landlord of the site. “The academy pays rent to the landlord and not us,’’ he said.

“We have not been informed of what is actually happening with places like the academy but our agreement was that we take the land vacant.

“My understanding is that some of the activities at Brooklands were only there under temporary planning permission anyway, apart from the children’s nursery, but we know very little about the job losses.

“We are delighted we have got permission from Elmbridge Council for this development but we are aware it is only outline permission and we still need acceptance from the government.’’

The next major event at Brooklands is the residents open days on July 19 and 20.

For more information on this event and others call the grand prix academy 01932 855880.